I Facebooked earlier today regarding a subject that hit me like a 10 ton truck. I was spending time in the word and I was casually going through Titus, Joel, Philemon really trying to get myself ready for Jr. High Small groups. I really wanted to be able to have a precise direction of God’s will and what he wanted me to be for these girls. It then hit me. Not only do I need to be this for my Jr. High Girls but what about Jenny? Maggie, Emma or any other young girl in my life I adore? Am i being called a pillar? Am I considered righteous and loved? I was then hit with grief. I have to make some changes. I’ve so simply fallen into this worldly pattern. I’ve have to make them NOW!
I was watching an Olde Timer show you may know, Little House on the Prairie. The one show I watched was about the Pen & Plow newspaper that had come to Walnut Grove (the Town of the show). This show then went on to show how destructive, half truths, gossip and flat out lies can hurt people. How, we have he mentality that if it’s not about us and we are not the ones getting hurt then it doesn’t matter. This is obviously wrong thinking.
As an aunt sister, host mom and Jr High leader I feel compelled to be the woman Christ as always wanted me to be and how Christ intended for all woman to be. Even back in the late 1800’s when we thought there could be few cares in the world, woman where still struggling with the sin of gossip and lies. Now, don’t get me wrong, men suffer from this as well. Though you will not catch many men with a Vogue, Glamour or Vanity Fair in their hands. Why are we (woman) so compelled to read such garbage? Reason? Our sinful nature. It was told a few weeks back in church that Satan is out to kill us. (for we cannot share the gospel if we are dead). If we are not stead fast in our praise and worship to Christ we are left vulnerable. This leads us weakened to temptation and then to sin and death. We can change this but we have to make that choice to change!
Change, yes this can be uncomfortable and not always easy. God never promised easy. He promised eternal life and love, grace and mercy. So, would you rather have a life that is easy and you go to the Hell? (yes I said it) Or a life that is more difficult with challenges you learn from, grow from so that you can in return teach others so they do not make those same mistakes?
Christ died as a perfect example of life. He died on the cross so that we could have eternal life. He did this for total strangers, you...me..... What legacy are we leaving since Christ died? What examples are we giving to our daughters and woman of Christ? How are we helping our young woman of today grow up to be amazing Pillars in our community? Are we teaching them to be respected and have more self confidence as God created them? No, our magazine, television, words and actions are being destructive. Ladies, we first have to lead by example. I strongly believe this. Now, I’m not perfect and I’ll never will be but! I do have a God that loves and forgives but we must have a heart that we except his forgiveness. He can wipe the slate clean and help US to heal. Christ does not promise that there is not scarring from that slate being wiped clean. There will always be scars and remnants remaining from those who hurt you and those you have hurt.
We need stand up! We need to encourage our daughters in Christ to stand up, stand firm! We need to teach them that this life is more then being popular, pretty or thin or anything other label. Life is about love, respect for others and for yourself. If we don't’ respect ourselves, well with Christ living through us we are not respecting Christ.
Everything can be changed with 1 action, that 1 actions causes a reaction. Like a water drop in a still pond. Those waves will go on till they have reached the ends of the water. If we were to stand up against gossip, half truths and lies we might, just might be able to help this generation. Help prevent people from getting hurt, help raise the self confidence level in our daughters that are being told daily that they do not meet “society’s” image. Woman, we know this is not true. God created us in his image and none other. If we are in his image, what mistake can be made? God is a perfect God. We need to teach and raise up our daughters. This needs to be a different generation. WE can do this. WE!